I'll be picking up some M22s soon. While I'd love the piano black finish, that's just not going to happen. Since my existing Axiom's are V2s with the old black oak, they're not going to match the new ones much at all.

I figured while changing things I might as well go with the Ebony custom vinyl, provided it is as dark or darker than the current black oak.

Has anyone seen both finishes next to each other that can comment? I see there is a VP150 on auctions in ebony, but it was shot with a flash that makes it appear much lighter than I'm sure it is. Even the sample pictures Axiom provides in the customize section shows the black oak darker than I know it is in real life. So I can't judge there either.

If it helps, I have an ebony sample that I ordered and it's very black. I haven't seen the Axiom black oak but I can't imagine that ebony could be any darker.

Just order sample from Axiom

Chris, I have some M22's and OnWall 22's in the new Black Oak. My entire 7.3 setup downstairs is in the custom Ebony you mention. I would say it is just as black or blacker. The only difference is it does not have the oak texture.

Chris IMO the new black oak finish is just a little less reflective than the old one if that matters. In a well lit room the new one actually has a slight silver sheen to the fake wood grain which does look nice, but in the light from the projector even in bright scenes the new finish is just a touch less reflective with no sheen. Though in both cases the speakers need to be next to each other to see the difference.

But Randy's is the best idea.

I've seen the new black oak too (my coworker just got M2s). It still appears kinda gray to me.

Maybe I will order the sample. But as long as it is as black as the oak it'll do.

It does have a silver/grey tint to it in “normal” light but illuminated by the light coming off the screen it seems to have a little bit less sheen than the old black oak.

I noticed the same thing with my curtains when I got the samples. The darkest looking one in normal light was actually the most reflective in projector light. Luckily the least expensive actually had the lowest sheen to it.

Hold on, are we talking the standard black oak vinyl finish? Does the standard black oak vinyl v3 color differ from the standard black oak vinyl v2?

At some time back with the v2s they changes the finish. JC commented on it in this thread:

http://www.axiomaudio.com/boards/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=276517#Post276517

From my point of view I can’t tell the difference unless they are near each other and then the new finish seems to have a very subdued hint of silver to it not sure why, however in a darkened room it seems to reflect just a little less light than the old finish.

Hi,
The actual Black Oak finish was introduced back on June 2009 on the v2 wevsion; the finish has not changed since then. It is the same one for the v3 version.If you are not sure of what Black Oak finish your speakers are in, if they were bought around that period, don't hesitate to send Axiom an email to get a confirmation. For Axiom owners of speakers with the previous Black Oak finish Axiom who would like to complete their system, Axiom will manufacture your speakers in the same finish at no extra cost to match your existing ones.

Jc,

Thanks for the response. My speakers were ordered back in nov 2007 in the standard black vinyl finish. If I was to purchase a vp180 could the finish be matched to my existing speakers?

Yes, it could ! It will be at no extra cost but it will require a 2 week period for manufacturing it in the matching Black Oak finish. Simply dial the Axiom toll free number (1.866.244.8796) to place your order and specify to match your existing speakers.

And the offer still stands for black dust caps too?

Vanilla Ice or Justin Timberlake?

"There's something about this that's so black, it's like, 'How much more black could this be?' And the answer is, 'None. None more black.'" - Nigel Tufnel

I prefer, "weird black controls that are labeled in black on a black background, a little black light lights up black to let you know you've done it."

"What is this, some kind of galactic hyperhearse?"

"Your eyes just slide off it ..."